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View Vacancy – ROK – Senior Media Officer, EO
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
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Communications, Press and Media
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Main purpose of job:
The Senior Media Officer will join a dynamic and high-performing Media and Public Affairs team, which leads the Embassy’s public-facing work, including press relations, social media, public events, and public enquiries. The team’s work is dedicated to promoting the United Kingdom, the UK government’s policies and the Embassy’s work to a Korean audience and covers the full breadth of the Embassy’s work. As the second most senior member of the Media and Public Affairs team, the Senior Media Officer will lead high-profile and significant areas of the Embassy’s media work. This includes taking primary responsibility for the Embassy’s relationship with the Korean press and leading the delivery of the communications in support of the Embassy’s efforts to drive UK economic growth.
In the absence of the Head of Media and Public Affairs, the Senior Media Officer will deputise and represent the team at key meetings. Although the role does not have formal line management responsibilities, the Senior Media Officer will provide advice, support, and mentorship to the three junior officers in the team.
We are seeking an experienced, well-organised, and energetic communications professional with expertise in public relations, the press, or a related field. The ideal candidate will be adept at written communication in both English and Korean and skilled at building and maintaining productive relationships with a wide network of contacts. Agility and flexibility is a must, as specific roles and responsibilities can evolve in response to UK government priorities and the shifting context in which the Embassy operates.
The successful candidate will be initially hired on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of a one-year extension after the first year and permanency after the second year.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
The Senior Media Officer will be expected to carry out the following roles and responsibilities:
- Press Relations (40%): The Senior Media Officer will be responsible for building, maintaining, and leveraging the Embassy’s network of Republic of Korea press contacts across print, online, and TV. They will draft and translate press releases and op-eds, secure press coverage and interviews, and monitor and report on the editorial positions of key media outlets on issues of interest to the Embassy.
- Economic Growth Communications (40%): The Senior Media Officer will be responsible for delivering and executing communication campaigns in support of economic growth, which is the Embassy’s top mission. They will engage with policy stakeholders, especially in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Trade Diplomacy and Economic Diplomacy teams, and the DBT MarComms team. This includes maintaining a forward look and core narrative script, and planning and executing communication activities and events in support of the plan.
- Public Diplomacy Opportunities (10%): The Senior Media Officer will identify and secure strategic public diplomacy opportunities, such as speeches or attendance by the Ambassador or other senior diplomats at high-profile events. They will prepare and translate speeches in collaboration with policy owners and the Head of MPA.
- Deputising for Head of Media and Public Affairs (5%): When the Head of MPA is away, the Senior Media Officer will represent the team at weekly team leaders’ meetings, delegate incoming work to the team, and track ongoing projects.
- Additional Responsibilities (5%): The Senior Media Officer will support the wider work of the Media and Public Affairs team beyond the strict scope of their role, especially during staff absences or busy periods. They are also expected to take on corporate responsibilities to contribute to the Embassy’s community, wellbeing, or security.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The officer will not have direct line management responsibilities, but will have the opportunity to offer support and mentorship to junior colleagues.
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- Experience in Public Relations: proven experience in public relations, corporate communications, journalism or a related field.
- Knowledge of Korean press: a good understanding of the Korean media landscape, particularly print, online and TV news and business media outlets
- Communication skills: exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English and Korean, with the ability to draft and translate (to/from both languages) press releases, op-eds and speeches.
- Networking: proven ability to build, maintain and leverage professional relationships with a wide network of contacts.
- Strategic thinking: ability to understand the organisation’s goals and to identify and secure strategic public diplomacy opportunities and to develop strategic communications activity in support of these.
- Organisation and time management: strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple project simultaneously under time pressure
- Agility: ability to work flexibly and adaptably to changing context and priorities
Language requirements: English & Korean
Level of language required: Expert
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- Experience working in an international or governmental context.
- Familiarity and a good understanding of the British Embassy Seoul, the UK and the UK government.
- 5+ years of professional working experience
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Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
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22 June 2025
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Executive Officer (EO)
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Full-time, Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
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36
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12 months
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Asia Pacific
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South Korea
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Seoul
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British Embassy
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1
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KRW
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4,674,964
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monthly
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30 July 2025
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The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
Learning & development opportunities:
The British Embassy is committed to investing in L&D for its staff, and provides a range of L&D opportunities, from learning sets to speaker events, group learning to job shadowing opportunities, as well as an extensive suite of online learning materials. Where job-specific training is identified the British Embassy will provide access to appropriate courses.
Working Patterns:
While some evening work and travel overseas (which might include weekends) and within Korea is required, we promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:15 (17:00 on Fridays). However, occasional evening and weekend working may be required, for which time off in lieu is given. The British Embassy encourages flexible working and various flexible working arrangements are possible with line manager agreement, including working from home.
Other Information:
Candidates must currently hold the right to live and work in the Republic of Korea.
Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Staff who are recruited by the British Embassy Seoul are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
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Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
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